How long to learn a new area?

I picked up Jodi from the Gulfport airport today and we were looking for someplace to stop for lunch on the way home. We drove by a hole in the wall looking mexican restaurant, so we decided to give it a try. It was awesome!

I was thinking tonight about how long it tends to take us to learn the lay of the land in each of the areas we stay in. So far we have averaged about 2 to 3 weeks to learn the area. During the first week we explore what’s in the immediate vicinity. Part of the reason for this is we’re also getting set up and used to the new house.

During the second week we expand a little further as we go about normal day to day activities.

During the third week is when we start to look further and closer. By this time our house is completely set up and we’re living a “normal” life. This is when we have the time and clearer heads to truly pay attention to those things that are off of the beaten bath. We start to feel a little bit more like the locals.

Of course this timeline also means that we usually have one more week to enjoy knowing the area and this it’s time to move on. The good thing is that during the long term, if we revisit some of these places, we will already have a head start on the knowledge.